Southampton's local residents share the best places to dine, stay and shop in Ocean Village with Emma Caulton
Lauren Noakes, National Oceanography Centre
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. The NOC undertakes and facilitates world-class agenda-setting scientific research and technology development to understand the global ocean by solving challenging, large scale, long-term marine science problems, to underpin international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.
Lauren’s Local Life
‘This area feels like a separate experience, yet is just a short walk away from the busy city centre.’
A secret: ‘The God's House Tower is one of the area’s best kept secrets. It has great art displays, local history and a café selling baked goods from Hoxton Bakehouse.’
Special: ‘One of my favourite quirky places is The Pig in the Wall. It has wonderful character and a delicious Deli selection.’
Favourite pub: ‘Has to be The London - who doesn’t love drag cabaret!’
Restaurant: ‘Mango Thai Tapas is great for sharing food with friends.’
Bar: ‘HarBAR on 6th for the cocktails and the view – it’s like a holiday at home.’
Shop: ‘Robins Nest at 129 always has great vintage bargains, which often means you find an item that you never knew you needed.’
Fitness classes: ‘The DM Dance Studio. They’ve classes from street dance and line dancing (the most fun) to Zumba.’
Day out: ‘A trip to Hythe on the ferry; it feels like you are taking a mini break away.’
Event: ‘Pride! It’s a great city-wide celebration of love. Also, Soton Makers’ annual Festive Market, which is a collective of local makers.’
Andrew Dalziel, Solent Sky Aviation Museum
Andrew Dalziel is a volunteer at Solent Sky Museum, dedicated to the aviation heritage of Southampton and the Solent area. Exhibits feature planes made by iconic company Supermarine, including an original S6B from 1929, the fastest thing in the world in 1931, and a Spitfire. Solent Sky also celebrates the area’s flying boat heritage with a Short Sandringham flying boat. Underneath its wings visitors will find a Folland Gnat, a de Havilland Vampire, and much else. Children and adults can sit in a pair of aircraft cockpits and get the feel of a Harrier or a Swift.
Andrew’s Local Life
‘I’m not Southampton born, I’ve only been here 20 years or so, and I have found the city to be a really nice place to live.’
Special: ‘Solent Sky also houses displays about Southampton during both World Wars, and the Hampshire Police & Fire Heritage Trust Collection - a fascinating history of our police and fire services shown through a wide range of objects from handcuffs to motor bikes.’
Favourite walk: ‘Living just five minutes from the River Itchen, I can walk to Winchester along the Itchen Way.’
Best pub: ‘As luck would have it, my walk to the Museum passes two excellent small breweries! Unity Brewing and Tap It Brewery, both in Northam, can be a temptation when walking home. I can always rely on Unity’s pale ale, although their pear and blackberry crumble sour is next on my list.’
Andrew & Belinda Rowles, The Ocean Rooms Beauty
The Ocean Rooms Beauty is a family-run salon with marina views and luxurious premises. Its therapists are trained to the highest industry standard and a comprehensive selection of treatments includes all beauty, advanced skin and laser treatments, and a full range of holistic spa treatments.
Andrew & Belinda’s Local Life
‘We love our location in a maritime city thriving with connections between people, cultures and new ideas. Southampton is no longer seen as just a departure point but a destination, too. It is a young, diverse city of culture.’
A secret: ‘Ocean Village is an old working dock and there is an old dry dock under the Harbour Hotel!’
Special: ‘My Dad built the three towers in Ocean Village and named them Moresby, Hawkins and Blake after three British Admirals. At the time it was built, Moresby Tower was the tallest residential building in Southampton.’
Favourite café: ‘Maritimo Lounge. We love the relaxed vibe and the staff are so friendly. I have coeliac’s disease and they have the best gluten free options for me.’
Restaurant: ‘Blue Jasmine! What an absolutely exquisite restaurant this is!’
Shop: ‘Gannaways Florist as they do the best flowers.’
Evening out: ‘Ocean Grill - the staff are amazing and the food is stunning.’
Overnight stay: ‘The Harbour Hotel has to be the most luxurious hotel in Southampton.’
Hair salon: ‘Doll’s House: Jodie and the girls produce some amazing work!’
Event: Southampton Boat Show: it’s a great way to end the summer.’
David Hall, Ocean Grill
David opened Ocean Grill in June 2021. This is his ninth restaurant. His first, bought when he was 25, was a run-down pub in Lyndhurst which he transformed into La Pergola. Another success is his Casa Brazil group (including the only local independent restaurant in West Quay). He describes Ocean Grill as his ‘swansong’, incorporating everything that he loves as a customer, drawn from his experiences as both a restaurateur and chef at The Ritz, including flambés and specialised beef such as Wagyu.
David’s Local Life
‘There’s a camaraderie in Ocean Village. I love living in this little bit of the Southampton Riviera, as we call it. I wake up looking over the marina with its boats and shimmering water.’
Favourite bar: ‘I can come out of my apartment and have a beer at Banana Wharf. On Sunday you can sit outside any of the bars or restaurants and be on your own but talk to 20 people, it’s that sort of social environment.’
Café: ‘Maritimo Lounge for breakfast and Café Romano on Oxford Street – I’m there often enough!’
Restaurant: ‘I was fed up having to go to Winchester for a decent meal and wanted to give people in Winchester a reason to come to Southampton! Now, with Blue Jasmine, The Jetty and Ocean Grill, you’ve three great restaurants in one area, serving quality, and giving customers something different. Otherwise my favourite Italian is Marco’s in Oxford Street.’
Cocktail Bar: ‘An Old Fashioned at Rita’s in Oxford Street.’
